Leveling car-switch mechanism eor elevators



June 18, 1929. E. L. GALE. JR. 1,717,505

LEVELING CAR SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATORS Original Filed April 30, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTO/z" June 18, 1929. E. L. GALE, JR.

LEVELING CAE I SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATORS Original Filed April 30, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 18, 1929. E. L. GALE, JR.

LEVELING CAR SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATORS Original Filed April 30, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 53: INVENTOK,

June 18, 1929. E. L. GALE, JR.

LEVELING GAR SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATORS Original Filed April 30, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 K k. u

Patented June 18, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,717,505 PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST L. GALE, JR., OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GURNEY ELEVATOR COMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

LEVELING CAR-SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ELEVATORS.

Application filecl April 30, 1923, Serial No. 635,764. Renewed April 27, 1927.

My invent-ion relates to an improved type of controlling apparatus adapted more particularly for use to control a hoisting motor mechanism to level an elevator car platform with a landing.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a single unitary mechanism in the form of a circuit controller or car switch mechanism which by associating therewith a simple and novel actuating means, adapts the circuit controller for dual operation, one being manual for regular car operation between floors and the other being automatic to effect a leveling of the car with the desired landing and to maintain the car level with the said landing during loading and unloading.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a combination comprising automatically operable leveling switch mechanism and additional means operable in accordance with the speed of the hoisting mechanism which combination operates automatically to con trol the said hoisting motor mechanism to bring the car to a level with the desired landing in a step-by-step movement or what is commonly known in the art as an inching movement.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel combinations of elements and arrangement of parts being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 illustrates a circuit controller or car switch mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 illustrates in a more or less diagrammatic manner a complete elevator control system embodying the present improved type of car switch controller and also a novel system of circuits and means which as a whole function automatically to efiect an inching movement of the car to a level with a landing; Fig. 3 is a modified construction; Fig. 4 is a "front view with certain parts broken away and Fig. 5 a side view with certain parts in section, of another mod1 tied construction; Fig. 6 illustrates in a more or less diagrammatic manner a construction and arrangement of the circuit controller which adapts it for use in conjunction with an automatic push-button system of control employing two hoistingmotors, and Fig. 7 illustrates another modification; Fig. 8 is a front view and Fig. 9 a side view with certain pe in section 01' another modification.

' following detailed deseription Figs.

1 and 2 will be described conjointly. The circuit controller or car switch mechanism comprises a contact segment 1 pivotally supported at 2 and adapted for manual operation by means of a. lever 3 provided with a usual handle 1. The segment 1 as shown, is in a center or off position and when in this position engages the fixed contacts 5. The segment 1 is rocked in a clockwise direction from its off position to engage contacts 6 and 7, to control the car in descending, and in a counter-clockwise direction from its off .position to engage contacts 8 and 9 to con trol the car in ascending. Mechanical ele ments operatively associated with the circuit controller 1 to eflect the automatic operation thereof for leveling purposes comprise a pair of rods 10 and 11 supported on a pintle 12 carried by the lever 3. The rods at their other ends are yieldingly connected to a pair of bell-crank levers 18 and let respectively. Each yielding connection comprises a spring 15 interposed between a stop 16 on the rod and a link 17 fulcrumed at 18. A stop nut 19 is carried by each rod. Each bell-crank lever 13 and 14 carries at its outer end a roller 20, 21 respectively, said rollers being adapted to eo-act with earns 22 and 23 respectively positioned in the elevator hatchway there being two cams for each landing A. The bell-crank levers are pivotally supported at 24 by brackets 25 secured to the car C.

The hoisting motor and electro-mechanical brake of well known type are designated M and B respectively, S being a starting resistance and F being an accelerating magnet which operates automatically in a well known manner to control said starting resistance. Reversing switches R, R control the hoisting motor to cause the car to ascend and descend respectively.

The hoisting motor may be connected to the car through any well known system or roping or gearing.

The operation of the parts through a cornplete cycle of operation will now be described.

Assume now that the manual operator by operating the lever 3, rocks the segment 1 in a clockwise direction to a position slightly over-lapping the contact 5. This manual operation of the lever 3 to actuate the segment 1 to a running position, effects a rocking movement of the bell-crank levers 13 and 14, and in this manner the rollers 20 and 21 are actuated. manually to what will. he armed an inoperative position relatively to the cams so as to clear the latter at floors which the car passes by and thus it will be seen that the rollers and the segment 1 are mechanically connected and actuated conjointly, by manual operation of the car switch lever to effect regular operation of the car between floors.

The segment 1 now engaging contacts 5 and 6, closes a circuit through the winding of the reversing switch R which results in closthe said reversing switch and through the. winding of the brake B to cause the release of the brake and also to direct current to the hoisting motor to cause it to operate the car in a descending direction.

The circuit for the reversing switch winding may be traced as follows; from -l wire to contact 5, segment 1 to contact 6, wire 13a to winding 133, tlirough winding 133 to wire 25, dotted line wire 26 and thence to the line by wire 27. The motor circuit may be traced follows; from main, through reversing switch contacts to wires 28 and 2E), armature brush 30, through armature to brush 31, wires 32 and 33, through reversing switch contacts to wires 3% and 35, thence through resistance to line. The brake magnet and shunt field winding H of the hoisting motor, receive current supply through auxiliary contacts 36 associated with both reversing switches. When the car enters a cam Zone at a floor below, the operator can by releasing the car switch lever, render the circuit controller operable for automatic actuation to effect the leveling of the car platform with the landing.

Let us assume that the manual operator now releases the car switch lever. The roller 21 now engaging the cam 23 prevents or restrains the segment 1 fron'i being centered by the action of the centering weight or spring 38, and hence the cam 23 through co-aetion with the roller and its connected parts now automatically maintains the segment 1 in r unning position to engage contacts 5 and 6 and in this manner the hoisting motor etc. is controlled automatically to continue movement of the car in a descending direction. lVhen the car platform is substantially level with the landing the roller 21 rides down the incline face of the cam and in so doing permits the centering means to move the segment 1 to its off or center position and in this manner the reversing switch is controlled to open and cut off the power .to the motor, brakes etc. and the brake will now be applied to bring themoving parts to a stop. If the car platform should now move past or over-run the said landing, the roller will co-act with the cam 22 and thereby move or rock the segment 1 in a counter-cloclnvise direction from its off position to a running position to engage contacts 5 and 8. This results in closing the reversing switch R to effect operation of the hoisting motor to move the car in an ascending direction to bring the car back to a level with the landing at which time the roller in riding down the incline face of the cam 22 permits the segment 1 to be returned to its center or ofl' position by the action of the centering means.

Thus far it will be observed that by the manual operation of the circuit controller from an oil to a running position in either direction, the rollers are actuated to an inoperative position, and when a desired cam zone reached the operator can release the car switch lever and the circuit controller is then actuated automatically to continue movement of the car and to subsequently cut the power off, when the car is substantially level with the landing, and .in the event of the car overrunning the landing the circuit controller is then actuated automatically to control the hoisting motor to bring the car back to a level with the landing so over-run.

Furthermore, it will be pointed out that if during loading and unloading, the car plat form should tend to move away from a level with the landing, due to stretch or contraction of the hoisting cables, the circuit controller will then beactuated automatically in one direction or the other from its off position to eliect a return movement of the car platform to a level with the said landing.

It will also be observed that the yielding connection between the car switch lever 3 and the bell-crank levers serves to permit freedom of action on the part of the manual operator to center the circuit controller or actuate it from one running position to the other or reverse running position if he so desires when the car is in a cam Zone and one or the other roller is in engagement with a cam. in effect this arrangement then permits the operator to actuate the circuit controller to either stop the car or effect a reverse movement thereof even though the car is in a cam zone or at any point within its limits of travel.

If it is desired to control the hoisting motor to bring the elevator car to a level with the landing in a step or inching movement as it is known in the art, such result can be ob tained by combining with the system already described in F'2,'the following elements; an elcctro-magnetic switch 39 havin a w inding 40 whose terminals are connected across the terminals of the motor armature M, which connection will cause the said winding to operate in accordance with the counter-elect-ro-motive force (C. E. M. F.) of the motor armature. By providing a predetermined number of turns on the said winding, or by mechanical adjustment of its viteh ar i, or by both methods, the winding will function to actuate its switch arm when the speed of the motor armature and consequently its C. E. M. F. attain a predetermined value which corresponds to a comparatively slow rate of car speed, say for example 15 or 20 feet per minute which is a desired rate for leveling purposes. An electro-magnetic switch 41 having contacts 42 included in the circuit of the winding 40, is controlled from the circuit controller by providing the additional con tacts 7 and 9. An additional electro-magnetic switch 142 which may have 'a dash-pot 43 associated therewith, is inserted in the common return circuit 135 and 27 of the reversing switch windings, the dotted line circuit 26 being eliminated for the inching operation A winding 44 for actuating the switch 142 has its circuit controlled by the switch 39. A complete cycle of operation of the system with the addition of the elements which elfcct an automatic inching operation will now be described. To effect operation of the hoisting motor for regular car operation between floors, the manual operator actuates the car switch lever to full running position to cause the segment to engage contacts 5, 6 and 7 we will say for example. This effects operation of the hoist-motor M, to cause movement of the car in a descending direction and since a circuit is now closed by way of contact 5, segment l, cont-act 7 and wire 45, for the winding of switch 41, the other terminal of which is connected with the main, the latter will now open its contacts 42 arid thus open the circuit of the inching winding 40 to preclude its operation during regular car operation between floors. The circuit for the winding of the reversing switch R may be traced as follows; wire, contact 5, segment 1 to contact 6, wire 184, through winding 133 to wire 135, through switch 142 and thence by wire 27 to line. lVhen the car reaches the desired cam zone the manual operator by releasing the car switch lever permits the centering spring 38 to automatically actuate the segment 1 to disengage the contact 7 and engage only contacts 5 and 6, in which position the segment 1 is automatically retained by reason of the roller 21 engaging the cam 23. The circuit for the winding of the switch 41 now being open, permits the switch 41 to close its contacts 42, thereby closing the circuit for the inching winding 40, which will now function. It the rate of speed of the hoisting 'motor is in excess of a predetermined value, the winding 40 will then cause the switch 39 to close, thereby closing a circuit for the winding 44 of switch 142, which circuit may be traced as follows; from wire 46 to switch 39 to wire 47, thence through winding 44 and by way of wire 48 to line. The winding 44 now being energized will effect operation of the switch 142 to open its contacts, thereby opening the circuit of the winding of the reversing switch R which will now open and in this manner the power is automatically cut off and the brake applied to slow down the moving parts and this slowing down period may be somewhat prolonged by th provision opposite direction.

of the dash-pot 43 by reason of it retarding the return movement of the switch 142 to closed position. Now when the switch 142 again closes its contacts, the circuit for the winding of the reversing switch R is again closed and in this manner, assuming of course that at this time the car is in the cam zone with the roller 21 engaging the cam 23, the motor is caused to operate again to continue movement of the car in a descending direction and when the rate of speed of the motor armature again reaches the said pie-determined value the inching winding will again function to close its switch 39, and thereby cause the power to be cut oil the hoisting motor and brake winding and eiiect application of the brake to again slow down the moving parts. This automatic opening and closing of the reversing switch R will continue until the car is substantially level with the landing at which time the car switch segment 1 is automatically centered and the circuit for the winding of the reversing switch will now be opened at the contact 6 and the brake will now apply to bring the moving parts to rest. Summing up, it will thus be seen that the joint action of the automatically operable circuit controller together with the inching magnet 40 and associated elements as combined herein, results in controlling the hoisting motor to bring the car platform automatically to a level with the landing in a step-by-step movement. It will be understood that in an ordinary elevator system as now used, it is most diificult and hardly practical from a commercial stand-point to obtain the very slow rate of car speed which is desirable for leveling purposes by using only one hoisting motor and the usual types of gearing and roping, hence in order to obtain this very slow car speed it has become the practice to employ two motors with gearing etc. or to operate the hoisting motor from a multivoltage system and both of these systems involve a great first cost and expense. Now, with the use of the inching magnet and associated elements, only one hoisting motor need be used both for regular car operation. between fioors, and also for leveling purposes and this is so more particularly for the reason that the inching magnetin eifect prevents the hoisting motor from attaining a rate of speed which is in excess oi": the rate of speed desired for leveling purposes. Furthermore, by combining the autoi'natie car switch mechanism with the inching magnet etc. the inching operation eflfected automatically.

In Fig. 3, a modified construction is shown which permits the car switch segment 1 to be centered at will or moved from one running position to a running position in the This construction comprises a member 110 pivotally supported at 111 on the car switch lever. The bell crank levers l3 and 14 are connected to one end of the member 110 by the rods 10 and 11, a pin 12 being carried by the member 110 and serving as a pintle for the rods 10 and 11. A pair of spring steel members 112 and 113 fixed to the switch lever 3 bear against opposite sides of the member 110. These spring steel members together with the arrangement of the member 110, form a yielding connection between the car switch lever 3 and the bell-crank levers 13 and 14 which permits freedom of action on the part of the manual operator to center the car switch segment 1 at will or to move the segment in a reverse direction from one running position to a running position in a reverse direction.

The modified construction of my car switch illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, is one more par ticularly adapted for use in conjunction with an elevator system employing two hoisting motors, or a multi-volt-age system 01 control. It comprises more essentially a contact segment 1 connected to a sleeve 19 roiatably supported on a shaft which forms a pivotal support therefor. The segment 1 is adapted for manual operation by providing a crank or lever 51 which may form an integral part of the sleeve, a spring-pressed handle 52 being provided, the handle 52 being locked in its center position as shown by engaging a detent 53 in a flange 5 1 which may form an integral part of the switch casing 55. The segment 1 when in its center or off position engages fixed, contacts 5 and when actuated to running position. engages fixed contacts 6 and 8. A centering weight or springs 38 are provided to urge the segment 1 to center or ofi position. An auxiliary contact segment 56 is supported by a bracket 57 rotatable with the shaft 50. The segment 56 when in normal. position as shown, engages contacts 58 carried by and rotatable with the segment 1, the segment co-acting with the additional contacts 59 and 60 which are also carried by and. rotatable with the segment 1.

Elements which operate automatically to actuate the auxiliary segment 56 comprise a lever 61 having a force fit on the shaft 50, the lever having a pin 62 serving as a pintle to support one end of the rods 66 which connect at their other ends with the bell-crank levers 13 and 1acarrying rollers 20 and 21 adapted to co-act with the cams 22 and 23 as shown in Fig. 2. A yielding connection between the car switch lever 51 and the lever 61 consists of a pair of spring steel members 68 secured to a bracket til secured to the lever 51, the free ends of the spring steel members bearing against opposite sides of the lever 61.

The associated parts of the car switch mechanism just described, operate as follows; for the manual operation of the car switch, the handle 52 is first pulled outwardly against the action of a spring to its unlocked position and by rocking it in one direction or the other the segment 1 will engage either Contact 6 or 8 as desired. Now, with this manual operation of the lever 51, the auxiliary segment 56 together with the auxiliary contacts 58 and 59 and 60 will move together as a unit with the segment 1 due to the yielding connection 63 between the levers 51 and 61, the spring steel members being sufficiently strong to be unyielding when subjected only to the slight pressure necessary to cause a rocking movement of the segment 56 and bell c ank levers 13 and 14- during the said manual operation of the lever 51 to actuate the segment 1 to a running position. In consequence of the segment 1 and auxiliary segment 56 and its associated contacts 58, 59 and 60 moving as a unit, the segment 56 will at this time assume its center or off position relatively to its associated contacts 58, 59, and 60, while at the same time the segment 1 will be in a running position to engage one or the other of the contacts 6 0r 8 thereby controlling the main hoisting motor to raise or lower the car. Now when the desired cam zone is reached, the manual operator returns the car switch lever 51 to its center position and releases the handle 52 which will now be pushed inwardly by the spring 65 so that the handle engages the detent 53 and thereby locks the lever 51 in its center or off position. At this time a roller will engage a cam in the hatchway and hence the combined action of a roller engaging a cam and the movement of the segment 1 to its center position will, by reason of the yielding connection 63, bring one or the other of the auxiliary contacts 59 or 60 into an engagement with the auxiliary segment 56 and cause the car to continue its movement. Now when the car is substantially level with the landing, the roller in riding down the inclined face of the cam perunits the spring steel member 63 to automatically center the auxiliary segment 56 and in this manner the power is automatically cut oil and the brake is applied to bring the moving parts to rest. It the car should now overrun the landing, or should it tend to move away from the landing during loading or unloading, the segment 56 will thereupon be actuated automatically to control the auxiliary motor to bring the car back to a level with the landing. It will be pointed out that when the car switch lever 51 is actuated man.- ually to effect operation of the car, the bellcrank levers 13 and 1 1 are thereby rocked to a position so that their rollers will not strike cams at floors which the car passes by, such actuation of the levers 13 and 14: being imparted through the intermediary of the spring steel members 63 and rods 66.

To adapt my automatic leveling circuit controller for use in connection with the elevator system employing two hoisting motors and an automatic push-button system of control, there is provided a pair of electroanagnets 6'? and 68 (Fig. 6) which actuate can sition in either direction through the inter-- mediary of a pair of intermeshing segmental gear racks 09 and 70. The bell-crank levers 13 and 14 are connected by a pair 01 rods 71, 72 to a pin 7 3 which serves as a iiulcrum for one end of the said rods.

The elements comprising the automatic push-button system of control are all of a well known construction having a well known mode of operation and hence such elements will be referred to only in a general way. Such elements comprise the automatic floor controller apparatus 7 4 which is geared to a suitable part of the hoisting mechanism, floor relays 75, 76, 77; car push-button 78, 79, 80; hall push-buttons, 81, 82, 83; reversing switches R, R which control the main motor M to cause the car to descend or ascend; noninterterence magnet 84; holding magnet 85; door contacts 86; accelerating magnet 87 automatically to control the motor starting resistance 88; clutch winding 89; reversing switches T and T which control the small or auxiliary motor M; an accelerating magnet 90 to control starting resistance 91 for the armature ot the motor M, and a brake winding 92. l

A complete cycle of operation will be given as effected by pressing the car button 78, and since the main or motor circuits are well known it is thought not necessary to trace such circuits in detail.

Pressing car button 78 closes a circuit as follows; from main to wire 93, through door contacts 86 to wire 94, through winding 95 of non-interference magnet 84, wire 96, through holding magnet 85 to wire 97, pushbutton 78 to wire 98, wire 99, through floor relay 7 5 to wire 100, floor controller brush 101, through floor control ring 102 to brush 103, wire 104, through winding of reversing switch R, wire 105, through winding 67 and thence to line. The reversing switch It will now operate to cause the main hoisting motor M to operate the car in a descending (lirection, the clutch magnet 89 now being energized will operate a clutch to disconnect the auxiliary hoisting motor mechanism from the main hoisting mechanism. The winding 67 being energized will effect actuation of the contact segment 1 to engage contact 6 but since the common return wire 106 for the windings of the reversing switches T and T is now opened at the auXiliary backcontacts of reversing switch It, the reversing switches T and T cannot close until both of the reversing switches R and R are in open position. When the car reaches the cam Zone at the first floor, the circuit just traced including the winding of reversing switch R and winding 67 etc. will be opened by the floor controller mechanism 74 thus cutting off the power to the main motor M. At the same time, although the electro-magnet 6 is now de-energizedthe segment 1 will be maintained in its actuated position to engage contact 6 by reason of the roller 21 engaging the cam 23. The clutch magnet 89 is now de-energized and the clutch mechanism operates to connect the auxiliary moto mechanism with the main hoisting mechanism and the reversing switch T will now operate to continue movement of the car at a relatively slow rate of speed. \Vhen the car comes substantially to a level with the landing, roller 21 riding down incline face of the cam 23 permits the centering spring 38 to center the segment 1 and in this manner the power is cut ofl the motor M and the brake applied to stop the car.

In case of over-run or of the car moving during loading or unloading, the car switch segment will be actuated automatically to control the motor 1 to return the car to a level with the landing.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the bell-crank levers 18 and 14 and the contact segment 1 are positively connected by the rods 10 and 11, and by positioning the pintle 12 below the pivot 2, the automatic actuation of the segment 1 by the bell-crank levers and rods will be elIected by a pushing movement instead of pulling movement as illustrated in *ig. 1. In the modification illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the auxiliary contact controlling mechanism consists of two segmental contacts 114 V and 115 adapted to co-act with contacts 58, 59, and 58 and (30 respectively. These auxiliary segmental contacts are adapted for actuation independently by their respective cams when the car switch lever 51 is centered and with this arrangement when the car switch lever is centered and one of the segmental contacts is in its running position, the other segmental contact will assume its off or circuit opening position. To adapt these segmental contacts for automatic actuation independently, each one is mechanically connected only to its respective bell-crank lever 13 and 14, the segment 114 being connected to the bell-crank 14 through a rod 116 and a lever 117 which has a force fit on a sleeve 118 and a lever 119 having a force fit on the sleeve 118 to which the seg ment 114 is attached. The sleeve 118 fits loosely on a shaft-120 to which the segment 115 is connectechthe shaft being connected to the bell-crank lever 13 by a rod 121 and a lever manually operable lever 51 and the levers 117 and 1.22 respectively, saidconnection effecting movement of the auxiliary controlling mechanism and the main segment 1 as a unit, by operation of the lever 51 for regular car operation between floors and at the same time moving the rollers 20 and 21 to an inoperative position relative to the cams. When the desired cam zone is reached and the main segment 1 is moved to oil or circuit opening position by the manual operator centering the lever 51, one of the auxiliary segments will maintain its circuit opening position while the other segmental contact will be held in its circuit closing position by co-action of its roller with its respective cam. With this arrangement then, it will be observed that the automatic mechanisms for the auxiliary circuit controllers operate independently to actuate their respective segments to a circuit closing position when the car switch lever is centered and the car is in a cam zone.

I am aware of certain types of controlling mechanisms for elevators, but with these types of mechanisms a car switch mechanism controls the hoisting mechanism for the regular car operation between floors and additional switches are provided to effect the automatic leveling of the car with a landing, the latter additional switches being entirely independent of and disassociated from the car switch mechanism, and furthermore these additional switches are not moved'to an inopera tive position relatively to the cams by a mere manual operation but necessitate an addi tional element in the form of a power device to actuate same and hold themin said in operative position.

According to my invention the circuit controlling mechanism is in the form of a single unitary mechanism and by associating therewith the simple and novel actuating means the circuit controlling mechanism is thereby readily adapted for dual operation for the reason that it is actuatedmanually to control the regular operation of the car between floors, and. is also actuated by automatically operable mechanism to level the car with a landing and maintain it level duringloading and unloading, and furthermore this automaterially operable mechanism is so connected to the car switch mechanism as to be 013- erated to an inoperative position relatively to the cams merely by manual operation only.

lVithout limiting myself to the precise details of construction and arrangements of parts, what I claim as new and desire to pro tect by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. The combination with an elevator car, motive means therefor, switch mechanism arranged to control the motive means, said switch mechanism forming a unitary struc-- her, and an independently movable contact member controlled by the car.

2. The combination with an elevator car, motive means therefor, switch mechanism forming a unitary structure having a manually operable lever, said mechanism being ettective by movement of the lever alone to open and close car control circuits at any point of car travel, and other means for controlling said mechanism by car movement.

3. The combination with an elevator car, motive means therefor, a circuit controller and lever operable manually to control the motive means to raise and lower the car, said manual operation being effective at any point within the limits of car travel by actuation oi. said lever alone, and means controlled by car movement to actuate said circuit controller to control said motive means to level the car with a landing.

4. The combination with an elevator car, motive means therefor, car switch mechanism arranged to control the motive means, said switch mechanism comprising a hand lever and a circuit controller shittable in reverse directions from a neutral or off position by manual actuation of said lever alone at any point of car travel and being automatically operable to control the hoisting operation in accordance with car position when the car is in predetermined zones.

5. The combination with an elevator car, a circuit controller adapted for manual operation, and means to retain the circuit controller in a running position when the circuit controller is released by the manual operator, said means comprising a lever carrying a roller, and a connection between said circuit controller and lever to move said lever in a oneway direction only, from normal position, by movement of said circuitcontroller in reverse direct-ions from off position. i

6. In an electric elevator system, the combination with thecar, hoisting motor mechanism tor the car, a circuit controller, a cam, and means operable by the cam to actuate the circuit controller, said actuating means being movable in a one-way direction only, from normal position, to an inoperative position relative to said cam.

7. In an electric elevator system, the combination with the car, hoisting mechanisn'z for the car, a circuit controller cams, means operatively associated with the circuit controller operable by movement of the car to coact with the cams automatically to actuate the said circuit controller to control the hoisting mechanism to raise and lower the car, said actuating means being movable in a one-way direction only, from normal position, to an inoperable position relative'to the cams.

8. In an electric elevator system, the combination with the car, hoisting motor mechanism therefor, a circuit controller, cams, and

mechanism connected to the circuit controller and mo able therewith, and having one-way movement only, from normal position to an inoperative position relative to the cams to actuate the said circuit controller to control the motor mechanism to raise and lower the car.

9. In an electric elevator system, the com bination with the car, hoisting motor mechanism for the car, a circuit controller movable in opposite directions from a neutral position, means connected to the circuit controller to adapt it for actuation by a source of power, in wardly facing cams positioned in independent vertical planes, and means adapted to coact with the cams automatically to control the motor mechanism, said circuit controller and second named means being movable conjointly by said source of power, thereby moving said second named means to an inoperative position relative to the cams.

10. In an electric elevator system, the combin ation with the car, motive means therefor, a circuit controller, a cam, and means mechanically connected to said circuit controller and movable jointly therewith by power from an exterior source, said means being movable in a one-way direction only, from no mal position to an inoperative position relatively to said cams, and said means being adapted to coact with said cam automatically to actuate the circuit cont-roller to control the motive means.

11. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a circuit controller, cams, levers connected to .the circuit controller and having rollers to coact with the cams to actuate the circuit controller'in both directions from a neutral or off position, said movement of the levers efiec-ting movement of the rollers to an inoperative position relative to the cams.

12. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a pivotally supported segmental contact, a pair of bell-crank levers carrying rollers, means operatively connecting the bell crank lever to the segmental contact, cams in the hatchway to coact with the rollers to effect movement oil"; the bell-crank levers to rock the segmental contact in a clockwise and counter-clock-wise direction from a neutral orolt position, said cams releasing the rollers to allow the segmental contact to assume a'neiitral or oil position when the cams release the rollers.

13. In an electric elevator system, the combination with the car, motive means for the car, a circuit controller, a cam, means yieldingly connected to the circuit controller adapted to coact with the cam. to actuate the circuit controller to control the motive means, said yielding connection acting of itself and independent of any manual operation to per mit movement of the circuit controller to off or any desired running position at any point of car travel. 7

14. In an electric elevator system, the combination with the car, motive means for the car, a circuit controller, a. cam, means yieldingly connected to the circuit controller and. movable conjointly therewith to an inoperative position relatively to the cam when the said circuit controller is actuated to running position to control the motive means, said yielding connection acting of itself and iiidependent of any manual operation to permit movement of the circuit controller to oil position at any point of car travel.

15. The combination with anelevator car, motive. means for the car, a circuit controller normally assuming a neutral or o li position and being movable in reverse directions from said position to control the motive means to cause the car to ascend and descend, and means comprising a lever and coacting cam, said lever having one-way movement only, from normal position, operable automatically by movement of the car to actuate the said circuit controller in reverse directions from said neutral or oi i position, to maintain the car lever with a landing during load ng and unloading.

16. The combination with an elevatorcar, motive means for the car, a circuit controller normally assuming a neutral or oil: position and being movable in reverse directions from said position to control the motive means to cause the car to ascend and descend, and means comprising a lever having only a one way movement ttrom normal position, and a cam operable automatically by movement of the car to actuate the said circuit controller in reverse directions from said neutral or oli' position, said last named means releasing the circuit controller to assume its neutral or oit position when the car is level with the landing.

17. The combination with an elevator car, motive means for the car, a circuit controller normally assuminga neutral or oil position, and movable in opposite directions from said neutral'position, and being movable in either direction from said position to control the motive means to cause the car to ascend or descend, inwardly facing cams positioned in independent vertical planes, and means coacting with the cams to actuate the circuit controller in either directiontrom said position. v

18. A car switch mechanism for. elevators, comprising a manually operable circuit controller, cams, a pair of levers connected to the circuit controller and having rollers adapted to coact with the cams to actuate the circuit controller from a neutral or cit position, said rollers being movable to an in operative position relative to the cams by operation olthe circuit controller, and means to urge a roller to engage a cam and thereby retain the circuit controller in a running position.

19. A circuit controlling mechanism to control the direction of rotation of an electric motor, comprising a circuit controller operable in reverse directions from ofi position to running positions, means automatically to actuate said circuit controller comprising a pivoted lever carrying a roller, a cam to coact with said roller, and a yielding connection between said circuit controller and said lever to permit movement of said circuit controller without moving said lever.

20. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a pivotally supported circuit controller, movable in reverse directions from a normal position, a cam, a lever carrying a rollor to coact with the cam to retain said circuit controller in an actuated position, and a connection between said circuit controller and lever whereby reverse movements of said circuit controller from normal position, efi'ects movement of said lever in a one-way direction only, from a normal position to an inopera tive position with respect to said cam.

21. A car switch mechanism for elevators, con'iprising a circuit controller pivotally supported and having rocking movement in reverse directions from a normal position, a pair of levers each carrying a roller, cams to coact with said rollers to retain said circuit controller in either actuated position, and means to move said levers from normal position, in reverse directions relatively to each other, and in a one-way direction only with respect to their respective coacting cams.

22. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a circuit controller pivotally supported and having rocking movement in reverse directions, a cam, a pivoted lever carrying a roller to coact with said cam to retain said circuit controller in actuated position, and a member connected to said circuit controller and eccentric thereto, connecting with said lever, whereby movement of: said circuit controller in reverse directions from normal position moves said lever in a one-way direction only, from a normal position, to an inoperative position relatively to said cam.

23. A car switch mechanism for elevators comprising a circuit controller, a hand lever connected thereto to actuate same, a cam, and means operatively connected with the circuit controller adapted to coact with the cam to actuate the circuit controller in reverse direcions from center or oil position, said means permitting said movements of the circuit con troller at any point of car travel, by movement of said hand lever alone.

24. In an electric elevator system, the com bination with the car, motive means for the car, circuit controlling mechanism, a cam, and means yieldingly connected to the controlling mechanism and actuated conjointly therewith to an inoperative position relative tothe cam when said controlling mechanism is actuated to running position by manual operation, said connection acting of itself and without manual operation to yield and to permit movement of the controlling mechanism to'oil position at any point of car travel.

25. In an electric elevator system, the combination with the car, motive means for the car, circuit controlling mechanism for the motive means, a lever operatively associated with the controlling mechaninis to adapt it for manual operation, a cam, and means yieldingly connected to the controlling mechanism and actuated thereby to an inoperative position relative to the cam when'the controlling mechanism is actuated to running position, said connection yielding under manual pressure to permit movement of the controlling mechanism too'ft' position when said second named men; s is in operative position relative to the cam and being operable by coaction with said cam, automatically to actuate the controlling mechanism to control said motive means.

26. The combination with an elevator car, a circuit controller adapted for manual operation, means acting to center the circuit controller in a neutral or off position, and means comprising a lever movable in a oneway direction only, from normal position,-

operable automatically to retain the circuit controller in an actuated or running position against the action of the said centering means when the circuit controller is released by manal operation, said automatic means releasing the circuit controller when the car reaches a predetermined point, to allow the said centering means to move the circuit controller to a neutral or off position.

27. A car switelrii'iechanism for elevators, comprising a manually operable segmental contact, a cam, and'a pair of levers yieldingly connected withthe segmental contact adapted to coact with the cam to actuate the segmental contact in either direction. from center or of? position.

28. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a manually operable pivotally supported segmentalcontact, centering means for said contact, cams, and a pair of levers having rollers adapted to coact with said cams to rock the segmental contact inboth directions from a neutral or off position, said cams being operable to release the segmental contact to be centered by the centering means.

29. A car switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a manually operable circuit controller, cams'in the hatchway, a pair of levers yieldingly connected to the circuit controller, rollers carried by the levers and adapted to coact with the cams to actuate the circuit controller to a running position in either direction from a center or ofi' position, said rollers being movable to an inoperative position relative to the cams by operation of the circuit controller, and means to urge the rollers to engage the cams to retam the circuit controller in its running or actuated position,

said cams releasing the circuit controller to allow said urging means to move the circuit controller to its neutral or off position.

30. The combination with an elevator car, motive means for the car, a manually operable circuit controller mechanism to control the motive means to raise and lower the car, a pair of levers operatively connected to the controller mechanism, each lever having a roller, a cam in the hatchway to coact with one of the rollers to actuate the circuit controller to running position as the car approaches a desired landing, said cam releasing the circuit controller to assume an off position when the car is substantially level with the landing, and an additional cam to coact with the other roller to actuate the circuit controller to running position in a reverse direction to cause the motive means to reverse the movement of the car, said cam releasing the circuit controller to assume an 011' position when the car is substantially level with the landing.

31. A switch mechanism comprising a circuit controller, a lever connected thereto to adapt it for manual operation, levers each having a roller, cams to coact with said rollers, and members mechanically connecting the first named lever with said second named levers whereby the latter are actuated to move their rollers to an inoperative position relative to said cams by movement of the first named lever in either direction from a central or neutral position.

32. In a system of control for electric elevators, the combination with the car, motive means for the car, cam zones at predeter mined points in the car travel, said zones being formed by two sets of cams in independent vertical planes, circuit controlling mechanism for the motive means adapted for manual operation, and means operable auto matically by movement of the car in said cam zones to actuate said circuit controlling mechanism to control the motive means to raise and lower the car to a level with a landing, said means being rendered inoperable by manual operation and rendered operable automatically to actuate said circuit controlling mechanism, by being manually released when the car is in a desired cam zone.

83. In an electric hoisting system, the combination with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, cam zones at predetermined points in the car travel, said zones being "formed by two sets of cams in independent vertical planes, and circuit controlling mechanism to control the motor to raise and lower the car, and means to adapt said mechanism for dual operation. one being manual and the other being effected automatically by movement of the car in said cam zones, said mechanism being rendered operable for auto matic operation by being released from manual operation.

34. The combination with an elevator car,

a motor to operate the car, a circuit controller normally assuming a neutral or off position and actuated manually in reverse directions from said off position to running position, a hand lever to effect said actuating of said circuit controller, and means operable automatically to retain the circuit controller in either of said running positions when re leased by the manual operator, said means being operable automatically by movement of the car to actuate said circuit controller in reverse directions from said neutral or off position to control the motor to raise and lower the car and level it with a landing, said circuit controller when under automatic control, being movable to stop position by movement of said hand lever alone.

35. The combination with an'elevator car, a motor to operate the car, a circuit controller normally assuming a neutral or oflt' position and actuated manually in reverse directions to running positions, a hand lever to actuate said circuit controller, and means to retain the circuit controller in either of said running positions when released by the manual operator, said means being operable automatically by movement of the car to release the circuit controller, to assume a stop position, and being operable by movement of said hand lever alone to effect movement of said circuit controller to a stop position at any point within the limits of car travel.

36. A single unitary circuit controller to control multiple motors comprising a pair of circuit controllers, a lever connected to one of the circuit controllers, a cam, means mechanically connected to one of the circuit cont-rollers adapted to coact with said cam, and a connection between the said circuit controllers whereby both segments are actuated as a unit by manual operation of the said lever in either direction from a center position, said first name connecting means coacting with the cam automatically to retain a circuit controller in said actuating position while at the same time the other circuit controller is movable from actuated position to a center or off position.

37. A circuit controlling mechanism to control multiple supply circuits, comprising a segmental contact, a lever connected thereto to adapt it for manual operation, an auxiliary circuit controller, a cam, means mechanically connected to the said auxiliarycircuit controller and having a roller adapted to coact with said cam, and a yielding connection whereby both the segmental contact and the auxiliary circuit controller are actuated as a unit by manual operation of the said lever so that the segmental contact assumes a circuit closing position and the auxiliary circuit controller assumes a circuit opening position, said auxiliary circuit controller being actuated to a circuit closing position by the joint action of the roller coacting with the cam and a return movement of the said segment to a circuit opening position.

38. A leveling switch mechanism for elevators, comprising a circuit controller movable as a unit by a lever, part of said circuit controller being retained against movement by the lever when the car is in a leveling zone, so that movement of the other part by said lever brings the two parts into circuit closing relation.

39. A leveling switch mechanism .t'or elevators, comprising a circuit controller movable iin open circuit position by a hand lever at all times excepting when the car is in a leveling zone, part of said circuit controller being retained against movement by the lever when the car is in said leveling zone, so that movement of the other part by said lever brings the two partsinto circuit closing relation.

4'0. Control mechanism for elevators, comprising a circuit controller operatable to cause car movement only when the car is in the region of but not at a landing and inoperatable to cause car movement away from the landing when the car is positioned at a landing, and actuating means part on the car and part in the hoistway, the part on the car being movable manually to a cooperative position with respectto said hoistwaymeans, said parts being efiective 'by cooperation to close-said circuitcontroller to continue movement of the car toward a landing and open said circuit controller when the car is substantially level with the landing.

41. A switch mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors, one actuable manually and the other movable by car movement in reverse directions from open circuit position toclose car control circuits to cause car movementin reverse directions.

42. In combination with an elevator car, motive control circuits therefor including a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising two contactors, one controlled by manual operation, and means on the car cooperative with means in the hoistway to move the other contactor reversely from normal position.

43. In combination with an elevator car, motive control circuits therefor including a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising two contactors, one controlled manually, and means on the car cooperative with means in the hoist-way to move the other contaotor, said cooperative means movable manually into and out of cooperative position.

44:. In combination with an elevator car,

motive control circuits therefor including a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising two contactors, one controlled manually, and means on the car cooperative with means in the hoistway to move the other contactor reversely from a normal position, said means on the car being retractive to a non-cooperating position.

4L5. In combination with an elevator car, motive control circuits therefor including a switch mechanism, said switch mechanism comprising two contactors, one controlled manually, and means on the car cooperative with means in the hoistway to move the other contactor, said means on the car being movable to retractive position by manual operation of said manually controlled contactor.

$6. In combination with an elevator car,

motive control circuits therefor including a comprising two contactors actuated in common by a lever, one positively connected to the lever, and the other connected thereto through a yielding element.

48. A control mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors actuated in common by a lever, one positively connected :to the lever, the other connected thereto'through a yielding element, and means controlled in accordance with car position to move said other contactor. V

49. A control mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors, one actuable by a lever, and cooperative means in the car and in the hoistway, said means on the car being yieldingly connected to said lever and positively connected to the other contactor.

50. A control mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors, oneactuable by a 'lever and positively connected therewith, and cooperative means on the car and in the hoist-- way to actuate the other contactor, said means on the car being yieldingly connected to said lever and positively connected to the other contactor.

51. A control mechanism for elevators arranged to control the movement or an elevator car, comprising two cont-actors, one actu able by a lever, and means connected to said lever cooperative with means in the hoistway to move the other contactor in reverse directions from normal or oil position.

52. A control mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors, one controllable manually and the other controllable in accordance with car position and movable in opposite directions from a neutral position to close car control circuits to efiect car movement in reverse directions.

53. A control mechanism for elevators, comprising two contactors, both movable in opposite directions from open circuit position to close 'ar control circuits to effect car movement in reverse directions, one actuable manually and the other having its movement controlled in accordance with carposition.

54. In combination with an elevator car,

control means therefor comprising main and supplemental contactors, the main contactor being controllable manually, and actuating means, partly on the car and partly in the hoistway, tomove the supplemental contactor, the part of said actuating means on the car being so connected with the main contactor that movement of the latter to close a car control circuit is effective to move said part out of position to cooperate with the part in the hatchway. 55. In combination with an elevator car, control means therefor comprising main and supplemental contactors, actuating means, partly on the car and partly in the hoistway, to move the supplemental contactor, said main contactor and the part of the actuating means which is on the car being interconnected for movement concurrently by a source of power, so that when the main contactor is in a position to close a car control circuit, that part of the actuating means which'is on the car is out of position to cooperate with the part in the hatchway.

56. In combination with an elevator car, control means therefor comprising main and supplemental contactors, cooperative actuating means on the car and in the hoistway to move said supplemental contactor, the main contactor and said actuating means on the car being interconnected for movement concurrently by a single actuator common to both, so that when the main contactor is in a position to close a car control circuit, the actuating means on the car is out of position to cooperate with the actuating means in the hatchway, and when the main contactor is in open circuit position said actuating means on the car and in the hatehway are in position to cooperate to move the supplemental contactor to close a car control circuit.

57. In combination with an elevator car, control mechanism therefor comprising main and supplemental circuit controllers wholly on the car, effective to cause car movement, a lever, and mechanical means constructed and arranged so that movement of the lever only with the car in the region of but not at a landing is effective to transfer the control of the car from the main to the supplemental circuit controller.

58. In combination with an elevator car, control mechanism therefor comprising main and supplemental circuit controlling mechanism, said main mechanism movable manually by a lever, and mechanical means on the car and in the hoistway arranged to be placed by movement of the lever to open circuit the main mechanism in cooperative relation, thereby rendering said supplemental mechanism effective to continue car movement toward a landing and to reverse car movement in the event of the car over-running the land ing and return it to and stop it substantially level with the landing.

59. In combination with an elevator car, motive control mechanism therefor comprising a main and a supplemental contactor, both actuated in common by a lever, said supplemental contactor being movable by the car only with the lever in off position.

60. The combination with an elevator car, motive means therefor, main and supplemental circuit controlling mechanism Wholly on the car, manual actuating means therefor and car controlled actuating means therefor constructed and arranged so that operation of the manual actuating means transfers the control of car movement from the main to the supplemental mechanism and renders the car controlled actuating means effective to control movement of said supplemental mecha nism.

61. A car switch having a rotatable shaft and two contactors mounted thereon, a manually operable lever to actuate one of said contactors, means connected to said lever and to the other contactor adapted for coaction with hoistway means to hold said other contactor against movement with said lever.

62. A car switch having arotatable shaft and two contactors mounted thereon, a manually operable lever to actuate one of said contactors, means connected to the other contactor, cooperative with hoistway means and movable to non-cooperative positions with respect to said hoistway means.

63. A car switch having a rotatable shaft and two contactors mounted thereon, a manually operable lever to actuateone of said contactors, means connected to said lever and to the other contactor cooperative with hoistway means to hold said other contactor against movement by said lever.

64. In an elevator control mechanism, the combination with a car, of means for controlling the movement of'said car comprising a switch having a manually movable contact member and an independently movable contact member controlled in its move ment by the movement of said car.

65. The combination with a car body movable in an elevator shaft, of means for controlling the movement of said body comprising a switch having contacts controlling the movement of said body in one direction, contacts controlling the movement of said body in the opposite direction, a manually movable contact member adapted to close the circuit through either of said contacts and a movable contact, the position of which is controlled by the position of said movable body along said shaft adapted to close the circuit through either of said contacts.

66. The combination with a car body movable in an elevator shaft past a landing station, of means for controlling the movement of said body comprising contacts controlling the movement of said body in opposite directions, a pair of movable contact members,

means for manually moving one of said movable contact members into circuit closing relation to said contacts, and means for moving the other of said movable contact members into circuit closing relation to said first contacts controlled by the position of said body relative to said station.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ERNEST L. GALE, JR. 

